The countdown to the 27th edition of the Dakar in 2005 has already begun. Behind the wheel of a Nissan Navara and supported by the Galp Energia TMN Team, Carlos Sousa hopes to achieve better results in yet another edition of this renowned event which connects the two continents. The prologue has been scheduled for the 31st of December in Barcelona. Three days later, pilots and machinery will begin the first stage on African soil.
TMN and Carlos Sousa have driven together since 1995. Since then, and until 2002, the sponsorship awarded was directly to the driver for his participation in the Paris Dakar Rally and in the 4x4 World Championship. When this partnership was developed between TMN and Carlos Sousa, the only race in which the Portuguese driver participated in was the Dakar. A year later, the car driven by the Portuguese driver participated in both competitions, the Dakar and the 4x4 World Championship. Parallel to this, TMN sponsored the driver Miguel Barbosa in the 4x4 World Championship in 1999. Both drivers drove with Mitsubishi.
As of 2003, both pilots integrated the Japanese make’s official team where TMN’s direct sponsor was transferred to Mitsubishi Portugal. Since then, Carlos Sousa has participated in other races including the Dakar Rally, the European Championship of “Bajas” and the 4x4 World Championship. The driver from Almada was the European “Bajas” Champion as well as the 4x4 World Champion and he came 4th in the 2003 Dakar.
The sponsorship formula was repeated in 2004: direct support was given to Mitsubishi Portugal in which the two Portuguese drivers took part. Mitsubishi Portugal recently announced the rescission of contract with Carlos Sousa. In order to take part in the Dakar Rally, the driver received support from Nissan who supplied him with a car. So he could take part in the Dakar, Carlos Sousa needed to gather a large sum as his sponsorship was previously ensured by Mitsubishi. TMN and Galp, who have always sponsored him, ensured most of this value therefore permitting the enrolment of the driver in the competition. Coca-Cola guaranteed the remaining value (drink Burn).
The best participation ever from the Portuguese driver is expected in this race, which is without a doubt the most well known and the most difficult in motorized sport. éPT! will follow Carlos Sousa’s every step.